Apparatus for preparing infusions



M.FEUX

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING INFUSIONS Filed Feb. 4. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct, 26, 1937. M. FELIX 2,096,849

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING INFUSIONS Filed Feb. 4, 1937 Sheets-Sheet 2 iiii igi giiil g H A Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNHTED Parent FFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of preparing beverage infusions, and specifically it relates to coffee urn constructions and a method of preparing infusions.

Beverage coffee for years has been one of the most popular beverages particularly suited for consumption at meal-time, but during recent years considerable study has been given to beverage coffee since it has been determined by physicians and scientists that such beverage unless prepared from ground coffee in proper condition and prepared by certain recognized procedure, does contain substances which are injurious when consumed in substantial and regular amounts.

It has been proven by authoritative analysis that beverage coffee, when improperly prepared, contains numerous types of chemical substances among which are caifein, tannic acid, nitrogenous substances, dextrin, crude fiber, petroleum, and other extracts. A report covering such an investigation of coffee has been published by Brazilian- American Coffee Promotion Committee, the report having been prepared by Samuel C. Prescott, S. B., Sc. D., Professor of Industrial Microbiology and Director, Department of Biology and Public Health, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The above referred to report indicates that eX- tended inquiry led to the belief that the method of preparing a beverage coffee is of greater significance from the standpoint of physiological effect upon the consumer than has commonly been believed and that the factors necessary to be considered in the preparation of coffee involve. the coffee itself, that is its freshness, degree of roast and fineness of grind, the character of the water, the temperature of the water, the character of the container used in the infusing, the infusion time, the strength of infusion; and the effect of the addition of other substances. 40 The present application is a continuation in part of my application Serial Number 726,779, filed May 21, 1934.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the difiiculties heretofore encountered in the preparation of infusions, this invention contemplating the provision of an apparatus in which such infusions may be prepared in a condition free of those injurious constituents present in infusions as usually prepared.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of an urn in which the coffee or other infusion after being prepared is maintained in a heated condition below the boilingpoint of water, and in which the coffee and the water to. be employed in the making of the infusion, after being heated, are both maintained out of contact with metallic surfaces.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a glass beverage container within an enclosed air space which may be heated if desired, and from which the glass container may be readily removed when replacement thereof becomes necessary or desirable.

The invention still further contemplates the provision of an urn for preparing coffee and the like having an outer receptacle containing air and an inner transparent receptacle for the beverage, with a sight glass arranged in the Wall of the outer receptacle through which the quantity of in-' fusion in the beverage receptacle may be observed.

It is a further object of'this invention to provide an urn for coffee infusions and the like in which the infusion is displayed in such pleasing manner while being completely protected that the display provides sales stimulation.

It is also contemplated by this invention toprovide an urn having a ground coffee holder in which the coffee is maintained upon a filter cloth in a loose condition so as to permit the ready passage of heated water therethrough, the holder being capable. of being removed from the remainder of the urn and maintained so that the filter cloth is immersed in water thus avoiding drying and concentration of coffee infusion within the filter cloth. As distinguished from this procedure, if the filter cloths were permitted to dry between brewing operations, objectionable odor is derived therefrom and exists in the beverage thereafter brewed.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a coffee urn made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view takenon line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the coffee holder with the filter assembly partly in section removed 25 f. direction and has 'a slanting bottom 25 and a 7 Now in referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral I Ddsignates an outer receptaclehaving an insulated double wall II formed'withan extension I2 below the bottom'of the receptacle, 7

which provides'a support for the receptacle.

A' double sight glass I3 enclosing a dead air space I4 isarranged in thewall of the receptacle hand 'it is'preferably mounted in a frame I5 which is attached to the receptacle III bymeans of hinges I6.- In the specific construction illustrated, the outer wall of the receptacle II] is struck inwardly to form a flange I'I against which the hinged frame I5 seats. A catch, with operating knob I8 is provided to secure the frame I5 in closed position. When the frame is swung out- ,ward on its hinges, the space then existing in the wall of the receptacle provides a hand opening for the purpose to be hereinafter discussed.

An inwardly extending flange I 9 is spaced a short distanc'e'below the upper end of the receptacle to'support an annular "ring of resilient packing 20 upon which is positioned a shoulder 2 30f an. inner container 24 and this container is preferably constructed 'of non-expansible or oven glass; Container 24 tapers in a downward tubular extension 26. Extension 26 is connected to a cock 21 by means of a porcelain lined connecting'p'ipe 28; The extension 26 has a smooth exterionand a casting '29 isadapted to be secured'thereto by means of a split sleeve .30 which is adapted to be compressed by a contractible bandL3I. Packing elements 32 are provided at V 7 this joint to render the same water tightr Cast ing 29 is internally screwthreaded and the exteriorly threadedpipe 28' is screwed thereinto with the interior of the pipe beingiof the same diameter as the interior of the extension'2fi. Packing nuts 3 3are'mounted on the pipe 28 on each side of the wall II. and packingmembers 34 are arranged betweentherespective packing nuts '33 and the wall. ."That portion of the wall I'l about the conthe'doubiewalls with'an insulating material;

having alongitudi-nalbore -38.and 'a lateral port '39, which port is adapted to be move'd so as'to establish a communication between the bore 38' V and the interior of thepipe 28 upon movement of'the handle 40, Each of the metallic parts of the' cock 21 and pipe 28; which are normally subject to contact-with the-beverage while in storage' or as it is drawn from the container 24, is porcelain lined asindicatedatAI. 'Aporcelain lined de pression 85in theiface-of the'draw-oif cock. is in closed positio Theupper portion of the'container 24 is enlarged a at and it is constructed 'sufliciently strongto support the coffee infusion mechanism upon the rim thereof; .This coffee infusion -mech-" anisrnis indicated generally at 43' and. it may beconstructed either o'f'glass or metal, 'but if constructed of, metal'the metallic parts which are contacted by the'liquid oryapors should be 1 coated with porcelain 'e'namel. Furthermore, the

contactingrparts of the'portion 42 and-the inf fusion mechanism are protected by porcelai'nen ameled metal clamped over a gasket of rubber or similar material. J

7 7 plug}? is designed to j move'into position closing the 'end of pipe28 -when1 The infusion device Z 43' has outer "casing" 44' and a circumferential flange 45, which flange engages upon the rim of the container 24. The

flange is turned downwardly at its edge so that after being. engaged upon'the rim, accidental,

displacement of the infusion device is substan-, tially avoided and the infusion device is properly aligned with the lower portion thereof extending V into the container 24. The. casing 44 is provided 7 with legs 45 which are adapted to'beused for supporting the infusion device when the same is placed on a counter or other support as indicated in Fig. 3. The upper portion of the casing 44 supports an inner container 48 by engaging the V flange 41, which is formed integral with the container 48.

Adownwardly extending lip on flange 41 engages the edge of casing 44 and prevents accidental displacement of the container when the.

infusion mechanism is in operative position; Container 48 is provided at its bottom with an annular bead 5! over which a muslin or other suitable filter cloth 5| is stretched by' means of 7 the customary drawstring. It is upon this filter cloth 5I that the ground coffee is loosely. held. The coffee is thus permitted to float freely within the container 48 as water is poured thereon, but the floatingof the coffee is restricted by the reticulated plate 52. 'Plate' 52 also acts to distribute the water over the entire surface of the coffee as distinguished from delivering it to the coffee in a single stream. Thisfplate 52 is supported upon the inwardly extending shoulder 49. 7

At the lower end of the casing 44 and inwardly of its legs 46, thecasingis reduced in diameter as indicated at 54. An annular bead '55 is.arranged on the extreme end of the reducedportion 54 and a cotton filter cloth 56, preferably of the type having an upper fluffy or fibrous surface 7 V and axlower normal woven surface, is secured thereon by the customary drawstring.

As shown inrFig. 3a cap or closure'member 51 is adapted to be screwed over the lower filter cloth 56, and the cap. 51 is provided ,with a thread 58 which engages with thread'59 arranged '7 on. the exterior'of the reducedportion 54,of the casing 44' so that whenjthe infusion device is removed from the remainder'of the urn, washed" 7 V and cleaned, the cap 51 may besecured in posi-pj tion andcthe infusion device filled. with water to a level above 'bothfilter clothsSI and 56 so that these filter cloths can be maintained in a moist fcondition when the'in fusion device is not being utilized. V V j A cover 69 is formed to fit over the upper'edge of the casing 44'and'this cover may have a downwardly extending lip about the edge thereof to engage the top of container 48.

Vents 83 and 64 respectively arrangedin flange 45 and flange 4"! permit the escape of vapors from the'inner container 24 and from the interior of the infusion device; Vents 53 are adapted to be closed oropened at will by an annularvalve plate 65. which is. formed with openings adapted to be registered with the vents S3 or to be moved out'of registry, therewith by means of knobs 66 secured to the plate 65. An annular valve' plate 61 of similarconstrnction having. knobs E 8 operates to open and closevents I54.

In Fig.1, a cover 69 is secured t o the receptacle H]. by means of a hinge ID and fitted with a catch Il 'which engages aprojectionIi mounted on2receptacle I0 to retain the cover in closed position. V

-i Referring nowto Fig. 6,'the cover 69. consists of an outer shell I3 and an inner shell 14 movable with respect to shell I3. An annular depressed portion 15 of the shell 14 is adapted to contact the upper portion of the container 24, leaving a downwardly extending lip 16 which moves in an annular trough 11 secured to the edge of shell 13 by rivets, bolts or any other known means. The lip 16 cooperates with trough TI to limit the motion of shell 14 relative to shell 13. The action of springs 18 is to maintain the tight contact between the upper edge of container 24 and the depressed portion of shell 14. A metal ferrule 19 covers the upper ends of and joint between receptacle Ill and container 24. Insulation of a loose nature preferably fills the space between shells i3 and M. A pair of concentric pipes indicated at 84 provides for equalization of the pressure within container 24 with atmospheric pressure to permit withdrawal of the beverage.

A source of light, such as electric bulb 8B, is placed at the bottom of the interior of receptacle l0 for the purpose of permitting better View of the beverage in container 24 through sight glass l3. The light may be equipped with a reflector 8| for the purpose of directing the light to a desired area within the receptacle. An electrical resistance heater 82 of conventional structure is also positioned on the bottom of receptacle 4 ll, together with a thermostatic control therefor designated 83,

Access to the drainage connections leading from the container 24 to the cock 2! and also to the lighting and heating means on the bottom of the receptacle I0 is provided by opening of the door comprising frame l5 and sight glass l3.

In preparing coffee beverage in accordance with the present invention, modifications of the above described apparatus may be employed, but the method will be set forth specifically in connection with the herein disclosed equipment.

Cap 51 is removed from the bottom of the infusion mechanism and the water is drained therefrom and after the cover 50 and the plate 52 are removed, ground coffee is placed in a loose condition upon the filter cloth 5!. This mechanism is then positioned with its flange 45 resting upon the rim of the portion 42 of the coffee container 24 after the cover 69 has been removed to a position shown in Fig. 1. Hot water just below the boiling point is then poured into the infusion mechanism upon the plate 52 which has now been placed in position as shown in Fig. 2

and the water passes readily through the ground coffee and first through the filter cloth 5% which is of a character capable of retaining even fine foreign particles so that the coffee as it is passed through the receptacle 24 is of a clear nature. As the water passes through the infusion device the temperature drops slightly so that the coffee being treated is subjected to a temperature substantially below that of boiling water. It has been found that approximately two pounds of ground coffee is sufficient to produce four to five gallons of beverage coffee and, due to the construction of the infusion mechanism, the coffee is permitted to be in a sufficiently non-compacted condition as the water is passed through so'that the bulk of the water in passing through the coffee is not in contact therewith for a period of pressure whereby the water is permitted to pass quickly through the ground coffee. By adjustment of the vent openings, the rate at which the pressure in the inner container is released.

may be determined soas to control the flow of water through the cofiee and consequently the time'of infusion.

It has been established by research that the best coffee beverage from the standpoint of flavor and aroma as well as lack of harmful ingredients is prepared by maintaining ground coifee in contact with water below the boiling point thereof for a period of approximately two minutes. method of preparing the infusion may be followed in connection with the present infusion device by the proper manipulation of the vents 63 and 64.

The coffee beverage in the container 24 immediately after making the same in the manner described Will be of a temperature of about 185 F. The present construction, due to the insulation between the double walls of the receptacle and the air space between container 24 and receptacle Iii, will maintain the temperature of the beverage above F. for a period of about two hours under normal conditions of use. In the event that the beverage is not used within the two hour period, the temperature of the air space between container 24 and receptacle 10 may drop below 175 F. before the coffee beverage reaches that temperature. When the air space drops to 175 F., the thermostatic control 83 automatically closes the circuit supplying the electrical resistance 82, causing the air space to be heated to 7 about F., at which point the circuit will be again opened automatically by the action of the thermostatic control. The coffee beverage is thereby maintained within the temperature range 175 F; to 185 F., which has been found to be the most satisfactory as being below the temperature at which the beverage will deteriorate during the time of storage, but hot enough to make for maximum enjoyment of the beverage by the consumer.

The transparent nature of the container 24 together with the glass view plate l3 permit the operator to ascertain the quantity of coffee beverage in the container at any time. The source. of light as and the reflector 8! are so placed that light is thrown against the interior of the wall of receptacle l0 over an area opposite the view plate [3. This light is reflected through the transparent container 24, allowing clear view of the height of the contents thereof. The operator is thereby enabled to keep a suificient supply of coffee beverage on hand by preparing a fresh supply of the infusion whenever the level in container 24 becomes too low to be regarded as an adequate supply. The interior surface of receptacle H3 is preferably of polished metal or porcelain enamel of a color distinct fro-m the color of the infusion intended to be prepared in the apparatus.

The beverage within the container 24 is only indirectly heated and it is free of contact with;

any metal parts so that the beverage as drawn through cock 21 is of a high quality and is free Addi V of objectionable chemical ingredients. tionally the coffee is free of objectionable ingredients such as result from boiling or subjection to high temperature steam as well as from a long period infusion operation.

This 3 After the'beverage coffee has been produced in the receptacle 24 the infusion mechanism is removed from its operative position land the coffee grounds are removed therefrom; The cap 7 7 e51 isthen secured into positioifand water is placed in the infusion mechanismso as to im mers-e both filter cloths.

i The cover 69 is pla'ced back' position after 'the'removal of the infusion deviceand thecquantity of coffee existent within theireceptacle 24 7 can bereadily ascertained by viewing the same through the'glass l3'and transparent container 24 in the manner 'described'above' V v 1 Cloth is used as the filter in therpresent operaj tionlinstead of paper or other substances be- :j cause of its freedom from, readily decomposable chemical elements which would be" carried into I V the beverage. Moreover, the cloth allows the V coffee beverage to' filter through the coffee grounds within the time specified byjscien'tific research in order to extract only the valuable substances of the coffee bean. V

The present construction results in, reduction of fire hazard and elimination of danger of over- 7 heating of the coffee beverage by dispensing with 'the'gas flame .heretofore used to'maintain'the temperatureof large quantities of beverage. By

' simplification of thestructure as compared with 7 known urns used prior to this invention break- 7 age losses and difliculties in cleaning are overe come. 'It is to be noted that glass gauges and gauge faucets are not required, leaving surfaces easily accessible without projections that may be broken or'injure the hands of the person cleaning the same. There is also provided a good view of the contents of the urn and the method of preparation of the beverage, insures a prising separable sections each having a filter ,clear rich icolor'ed liquid, enhancing the sales" appeal. V "WhatIclaim iszr V V V 1. An infusion mechanism' for use in urns comprising a casing and a plurality 'of filterfcloths;

said filter cloths being arranged in spacedrelation Within the casing,said' casing 'being'formed to receive a coffee supply upon the upper fil'ter and to permit the passage of water poured u the coffee to pass" through the coffee and themfusion thus formed to pass through the upper filter cloth then through the lower filter cloth and out of the casing, anda closure cap forjthel bottom of the casing arranged to prevent the a passage of liquid through the casing so that water may be maintained in the casing with the filter.

cloths immersed'thereinduring the period'be tween infusion operations." 1 V i 2. An infusion mechanism for use in urns com:

cloth arranged therein", said sections being: arranged with the filter cloths one abovetheother when in operation and with the upper filter cloth capable of holding a coffee supply thereon, a

cover for the mechanism adapted'to be removed l sotliat Water canibe poured upon the coffee and the infusion thus formed Will pass through the upper filter cloth while the lar gerforeign pare ticles are retained thereon, said lower filter cloth having its upper surface 'formed'with a fine nap' whereby as the infusion is passed to and through -the-same'fr0m the upper filter' cloth finely disperse'd foreign matter will be retained on the" lower filter-cloth and ahighj quality beverage will be discharged from the 'mechanism,cand a closure cap for "the bottom of the mechanism arranged to prevent the passage ofliquid through the mechanism when desir'ed so that watermay be 7 maintained in the mechanism with the 'filter cloths immersed therein during the period be tween infusion operations 3. An infusion mechanism for use in urns'com prising separable casing sections'adapted to partially telescope, each of said casing .having'a'a filter .cloth tied over a bead formed on the extreme lower'end thereof so that when-the sections are in operative position'the filter cloths areposl tioned one abovethe other with the upper filter clothbeing'arrangedto receive a coffee-supply thereon, the construction being such that water can be poured upon the coffeeand the infusion thus formed will throughthe upper filter cloth while the larger foreign particles are: re tained thereon,s'aid lower filter cloth: having its upper. surface formed with arfinenap whereby as the infusion ispassed'te and through the :sainje' from the upper filter cloth finely dispersedfor-v eign matterrwill be retained on' the' lower filter cloth and ahigh quality beverage will be discharged from the mechanism.

passage of liquid'throughthe casing when' desired so that water maybe maintained in the section with the filteri'cloths immersed therein,

during the period between infusion operations. -5. An infusion mechanism comprising 'an' outer shell having a flange provided with a series of openings and an annular ring having corresponding openings, said 'ringbeing" movable, around said o'utershell to permit, theclosingor, registry of theiseries of, openings at will, another shell supported within the outer shell having its wall spaced from the wall of the-outer'shell' and.

a valve controlled opening in the outer shell above the flange affording venting means to the V atmosphere for the space between the inner and V outer'shells, each of said shells having a filter at its'lower end'which'when the sections are 'as- "sembled are positionedrone abovetheotherl, 1 I p 6. An infusion mechanism comprising inner r 45' T being provided with a flange at its upper portion 'engaging upon an internal flange in the outerand outerspaced telescoped shells, the inner shell shell for supporting the 'same' and forming a tight connection between thetWo'shells, an ex-,

'ternalflange on the outer shell adaptedto constitute a support for the entire mechanism when placed in an urn, said external fiange havingati valve controlled opening therethrough, the outer shell being provided with a valve controlled opening above; the flange affording avent to the atmosphere for the space between the shells, a filter cloth at the bottom of the inner shell adapted V 7 V to retain ground coffee for the preparation of an 7 infusion; a reduced portion on the outer shell'at the bottom thereof having a filter cloth secured thereon, and legs surrounding the reduced porc '7. An infusion mechanism 'for use with urns of the class described comprising a normally upright annular. casing'havinganopen top and botjtion extending below the filter cloth on the outer 1 ShelLf r v torn, aplurality of filter cloths'extendingtrans versely across the casing and located in spaced relation so as to providea pluralityof superposed compartments'withinthe casing and a closure cap 'deta'chably mounted'in liquid tight engagement upon the bottom of the casing. a

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